Group’s gesture could save lives

A charitable Harborough group has donated two public-access defibrillator units which can be used by anyone in an emergency.

Harborough Round Table raised the money for the units, which have been put into place at Great Bowden Village Hall and the Angel Hotel.

The Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) can be used by anyone when a person is in cardiac arrest.

The PAD is contained in a briefcase-sized box and is said to be simple and safe to use as the machine gives the user clear spoken instructions so it does not require any previous training.

Harborough Round Table chairman Jeremy Wilkinson said: “After witnessing the successful use of a defibrillator at a golf course it has become an ambition to promote the availability of PADs in our community.

“Already, plans are in place to provide a third PAD unit in Desborough.”

Defibrillators give a high energy electric shock to the heart and, in some types of cardiac arrest, may restore a more stable rhythm.

This procedure is called defibrillation and it is an essential lifesaving step in the chain of survival.

After a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation reduces someone’s chance of survival by 10 per cent. When you call 999, the operator can tell you if there’s a defibrillator nearby.

Mr Wilkinson said the group will be carrying on its usual fundraising in the run-up to Christmas.

He added: “The Round Table Santa Sleigh will be visiting Desborough on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, December 8 to 10. Then, Santa and the sleigh will be outside Sainsbury’s in Harborough on Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20.

“If you would like to learn more about Harborough Round Table and put something back into your community search for ‘Market Harborough Round Table’ on Facebook.”